Just For Fun

Silent Leadership

Today I googled 'silent leadership' because that's what I'd like to think I tried to do for work over part of the weekend.


Yesterday, for example, I watched some kids practice volleyball. Then I hung out at the Adults' Football Tournament. I took a few pictures. I drank some sugar cane juice. Yes, I did spend some time on Saturday talking with the players and spectators that I know and initiated new conversations. However, by Sunday it was time to be quiet.


In the book of Kings we read about Elijah's encounter with God. 

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lordwas not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lordwas not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah experienced the soft voice of God in the desert. He was isolated and separate from other people. Elijah's prophetic leadership was a responsibility that he bore. But he strength was always from beyond himself and his goal was for God to take centre stage.

Sometimes leaders need to hear from God. Sometimes leaders just need to hang out their team, silently.

Leaders don't need to be driven by their own egos. They may be strongly task-focused without being bullies. They may remain kind, courteous, respectful, and even playful, while carrying the burden of many responsibilities. Their humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a choice.

Silent leaders give other people space to think and act. Silent leaders hear from God.

Sunday Arvo Sports

A little help from Hope School

It's relatively easy to continue with program activities that we've done many times before. We roll from Youth Football to Adults Football with only a few weeks in between. We schedule weekly staff meetings, fortnightly visits to the Drug Detention Centre and monthly appointments at the MMF school to give out prizes for the best students and those who 'try hard'. No problem. However, It's more strenuous to start new activities. That's why it's good to have help!


Recently, a team of 10 volleyball players from Hope International School in Phnom Penh came for 4 days to initiate our girls volleyball program. In one afternoon, the Hope School team visited a government school for a friendly match and then ran a coaching session for brand new players at the MMF school. On the Saturday, they were one of four teams that signed up for a half-day friendly tournament. They also bought 10 volleyballs and left these with us as we start training teams for the next Girls Under 15s tournament. One of their coaches explained that there was enough budget for either T-shirts for the team members or volleyballs to give away. The 11-14 year old girls decided to forgo the T-shirts and donate sports equipment to allow others locals in Poipet to learn volleyball instead. (Impressive generosity!!)


I love opening a new sports tournament and seeing players test out their skills against other teams. This year, for example, I've enjoyed seeing the Under 11s Boys playing football. The next couple of weeks will be a push to get information out about the volleyball, create registration forms, schedule games, find volunteer referees and decide on what kind of prizes to give (all considering I know next to nothing about volleyball!). I'm thankful that Hope School has already been up to visit Poipet and help begin this new program.